Global Scans · France · Weekly Summary

WHAT'S NEXT?: Discontent with political elites and country performance is driving the discourse and demand for action from the French public. With Presidential elections due in May 2017 it remains to be seen whether another political earthquake may happen in one of the EU's founding countries.

• [New] Losses exceeded $40 million, highlighting a new security challenge where improved digital protections are offset by physical threats, prompting some insurers to offer specialized coverage. / France CoinDesk
• [New] Europe now accounts for over 40% of global incidents, with France leading at 19 reported attacks, involving home invasions, kidnappings, and targeted personal threats. CoinDesk
• [New] Leaders from France, Canada and Finland have flocked to Beijing in recent weeks, recoiling from Trump's bid to seize Greenland and tariff threats against NATO allies. Terra Daily
• [New] Lowering sodium levels in packaged and prepared foods could lead to major improvements in heart health and prevent large numbers of heart attacks, strokes, and premature deaths in France and the United Kingdom. ScienceDaily
• [New] The Large Hadron Collider at CERN has begun to funnel the waste heat from its cooling system to a new residential and commercial area in the nearby French town of Ferney-Voltaire, with the new linkup expected to be able to heat several thousand homes at once. Tom's Hardware
• [New] French lawmakers have voted in favour of legislation that will ban under-15s from social media amid growing concern that children's attention is being hijacked by algorithms. Positive News
• [New] Foodwatch files criminal complaint in France naming seven infant formula manufacturers, including Nestle, Lactalis, and Danone; eight families have joined with more expected. CNS Media
• [New] A further 15 vehicles will be delivered between 2027 and 2030, bringing the total fleet to 40 articulated e-buses as part of the HelYce + electromobility project. / France Automotive World
• [New] France will likely deliver near-flat growth at 1.5% in 2026 vs. 1.7% in 2025. Bain & Company
• [New] France likely will establish formal technology transfer agreements with Ukrainian defence firms, bypassing traditional defence contractors to access battlefield-validated designs, potentially reshaping European defence procurement toward agile, low-cost production models. Drone Warfare
• [New] Germany is forecast to see insolvencies rise by 1% in 2026, while France and the UK are each expected to record a 2% increase, leaving failures at historically high levels. Insurance Business
• [New] With no structural issues addressed, the preparation of the 2027 budget will be even more challenging and will continue to weigh on economic activity in France, keeping growth below the European average. ING Think
• [New] Economic risks are likely to remain concentrated on domestic political uncertainty, particularly around the reforms needed to meet the 3% budget deficit target - a challenge that is expected to remain a persistent source of uncertainty as the 2027 presidential election approaches. / France Natixis - Natixis CIB
• [New] In parallel, a surge in related research and development activity will further contribute to a pro-investment climate, complementing the 'France 2030' investment plan, which designates €54bn for vertical industrial policy in high growth sectors. Natixis - Natixis CIB
• [New] Longer-term, France is set to hold presidential elections in the spring of 2027, a prospect that will affect policy discussions over the coming year. Natixis - Natixis CIB
• [New] In France, the RE2020 regulation introduced mandatory embodied carbon limits in 2022, with thresholds tightening through 2031. revalu
• [New] France's end-2032 on - and offshore totals are forecast at 3 4GW and 5.5GW, which would represent growth from the current estimated totals of 23.9 GW and 2GW. Windpower Monthly
• [New] French TSO, Reseau des Transport d' Electricite will increase investments significantly. ING Think
• [New] France's Plan B Rafale F5 with sovereign AI and a stealth Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle wingman, is a pragmatic path to deliver Manned-Unmanned Teaming effects in the early 2030s without waiting for full FCAS resolution. Autonomy Global -
• [New] The Toulouse, France-based startup is developing its six-passenger BYA-1 hydrogen-electric CS23 light jet to enter service by 2030. Aerospace Testing International
• [New] The French government will provide credits covering up to 45% of equipment costs and 130 million euros for real-estate costs. Yahoo Finance

Last updated: 04 February 2026